Fluid distribution device



Apr-il 29, 1958 J. G. FREER 2,832,368

v FLUID DISTRIBUTION DEVICE Filed Nov. 22. 1954 `2,332,368 Patented Apr.. 29, 1958 liliillllll DIISTRIBUTIN DEVICE I i .lohn G. lllreer, Anaheim, Calif., assigner, by mesne as-i signments, to Collier Carbon and Chemical @enorm tion, a corporation of California Application November 22, 1954, `Serial No, 476,309

5 Claims (Cl. 137-118) This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the dispensing of fluids and in particular relates to the dispensing of a plurality of streams of uid from a single source wherein each of the plurality of flows has a predetermined flow rate. Specifically this invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for the division of a single fluid stream into a plurality of individual streams each having a flow rate bearing a predetermined relation to the flow rates of the other streams.

ri`he controlled rate dispensing of fluids, either gaseous or liquid, in a plurality of closely controlled streams of interrelated flow rate from a single fluid source, is involved in many industrial and agricultural operations. A few of these include the injection of reagent fluids in separate streams and at several different locations in a chemical reaction process, the filling 4of a plurality of containers simultaneously with predetermined volumes of liquid such as in the canning of lubricating oils, vegetable juices, and in the bottling of liquid commodities such as beverages, the injection of gaseous or liquid fertilizers such as ammonia or ammonia hydroxide simultaneously at a plurality of either above ground or under ground delivery points, and the like. Other liquid synthetic fertilizers which may be so dispensed include aqueous solutions of the soluble salts of potassium, phosphorus, sulfur, and the like and these may be applied in a plurality of streams simultaneously to several individual streams of irrigation water above ground, or in an underground application as in combination with some `sort of conventional soil tilling operation,

Heretofore each fluid stream in the plurality was individually adjusted by providing a main conduit opening from a storage container and delivering fluid into a manifold or header from which a plurality of branched outlet conduits opened. In `each of such branch conduits was usually located some sort of flow controller such as a valve or an orifice. This sort of arrangement has a number of disadvantages. The principal problem when the flow control device is 0f the fixed area type7 as are the common sharp edge and short tube type orifices and individual manually operated control valves, is that with attempted increases in fluid delivery rate by raising the source pressure, this source pressure increases at a much greater rate than does the flow it initiates. ln dispensing of liquids, positive displacement pumps of the piston, diaphragm, bellows, or gear type are conventionally used in order to meter the total liquid output accurately at the pump. An attempt to increase the total delivery rate through fixed size restriction opening by increasing pump speed or stroke, rapidly causes an excessive build-up in pressure at the pump discharge. These pressure build-ups are readily capable of and frequently result in rupture damage to the pump or the equipment through which the liquid is distributed.

The present invention is therefore directed to an improved method and apparatus for the division of a fluid into a plurality ofstreams and the distribution of fill said streams at predetermined variable rates in which the aforementioned difficulties are avoided.

lt is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid splitting and distributing device adapted to the division and delivery of a plurality of fluid streams at equal or otherwise predetermined individual flow rates.

lt is a more specific object of this invention to provide a device for the automatic regulation of the back pressure of the inlet fluid flow in a fluid dispensing device delivering a plurality of fluid streams while permitting predetermined division of the flow through a plurality of variable orifices.

it is a more particular object of the invention to provide an improved device for the dispensing of liquids in a plurality of streams, such as in the dispensing of liquid fertilizers into irrigation water or into the ground, in which a predetermined back pressure or uid inlet pressure must be reached and exceeded before ilow begins and inlwhich furti increases in pressure generated in order to increase the total ilow rate result. in an increase in the opened area of a plurality of simultaneously pressure operated variable area orifices permitting the increased flow rate in the same predetermined volumetric relation among the plurality of individual streams.

@ther objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description and illustration thereof proceeds.

Briefly the present invention comprises in combination a iiuid dispensing system comprising a container suitable for storage of the fluid to be dispensed, a iluid pressure control means such as a valve or a variable delivery pump connected in fluid receiving relation to the container, and an especially designed spring loaded variable orifice device having a single fluid inlet and a plurality of fluid outlets, the outlets each containing an orifice of predetermined size whose cross-sectional area open to fluid flow is opened or closed toa degree depending upon the pressure of the inlet fluid. A movable valve member is reciprocably disposed adjacent the inlet ends of a plurality of orifices and is spring loaded by means of an adjustable loading spring whereby the valve member is biased toward a position at which all of the orifices are normally closed. j

The inlet pressure of the fluid to be divided and dispensed acts on a diaphragm integrally attached to the valve member and acts against the loading spring which at a preset pressure permits the valve member to move so as to expose at least a portion of each of the orifices whereby a small amount of fluid is permitted to flow through the orifices in a predetermined ratio. At a constant inlet fluid flow rate, the reciprocable valve member reaches and maintains an equilibrium position such that the quantity of liuid flowing through the orifices dissipates most of the inlet pressure by producing a pressure drop equal to the pressure difference between the pressure necessary to open the orifices against the loading spring and the outlet pressure head of the uid into which the flow is being delivered by the distributing device. The loading spring, being adjustable, permits a predetermined minimum flow pressure to be set which the pump must deliver before the variable orifices are opened at all. For purposes of the present discussion this will be defined as P0. When the outlet pressure of the pump, which usually is substantially the` same as the fluid inlet pressure at the distributing device and herein defined as Pi, exceeds the preset minimum value P0 by an amount equal to AP, this excess inlet pressure Al opens the orifices by an amount sufficient to permit a liuid flow through each orifice, the quantity of which is governed by the difference between the inlet pressure P1 and the outlet pressure head. With further increases in the fixed area flow restrictions.

assasss pressure effected to increase the fiuid delivery rates, the

slightly higher values of AP cause the valve member to move to open greater areas of the orifices resulting in increased fluid flows through each orifice sufhcient to dissipate the higher value of Pi. Atinaximum rate, the orifices are opened entirely to permit a fluid liow which is. substantially equal to the capacity of the pump thus preventing the build-up of destructive pressures under any conditions of fluid fiow desired. in this manner the maximum pressure and energy necessary to disc .rge certain volume of liquid are considerably reduced relative to i it is to be noted that a spring with a low spring constant (pounds per inch deflection) will permit the maximum flow rate with less increase in Pi' than will occur using a spring with a high spring constant.

The present invention also briefly comprises an improved variable orifice distributing device consisting of a body element having a longitudinal fluid inlet channel opening through from one end, a plurality of outlet channels peripherally disposed around the body element end opening radially into the inlet channel, a movable valve member disposed in said inlet channel and adapted to open and close the inner ends of the orifice outlet channels, a cover containing an adjustable loading spring in compression to apply a force against the movable valve member tending to bias it into a position in which the aforementioned orifices are normally closed, and a diaphragm on which the pressure acts to open the orifices. The operation of this device under conditions of increasing inlet pressure to produce a plurality of iiuid flows having a predetermined relation has been generally described above and will be more clearly described below with reference to the attached drawings in which,

Figure l is a schematic flow diagram of the fluid distribution system of this invention,

Figure 2v is an elevation View in cross spring loadedl iiuid distributing device,

Figure 3 is a transverse cross section of the device shown in Figure 2 in which the section is taken through the plane of the radial fluid outlet channels and the orifices,

Figure 4 is a cutaway isometric view or" the reciprocable elementindicated in Figure 2, and

section of the Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a few of many shapes of ports which may be employed at the fluid inlet endof the reciprocable valve member.

Referring now to Figure l a storage vessel 1f) is provided having fiuid inlet 12 and shutoff valve la and an outlet opening 16. Discharge opening i6 opens into outlet line 18 having valve 20. Fluid pump 23 is connected through its inlet 22 wth valve 2@ and is provided with a variable speed drive 24 with 26V for varying the volumetric output of pump 23. The variable drive may convenient consist of an electric motor and one of the several continuously variable shaft speed reduction mechanisms presently commercially available whereby the pump shaft speed may be varied over any desired range, or the variable speedmay be derived from the traction wheel drive `of a ground vehicle such as a farm implement. Output line 28 opening from pump 23 is directly connected to fluid inlet`3t) which opens into the spring loaded fiuiddistributing device 32, the structural details of which are given below in connection with Figures 2, 3 and4.

This device consists generally of an orifice body 34 into which fiuid inlet 39 opens and. from which a plurality of outlets 36 open radially from the orice body. An orifice body cover 38 is provided and is attached by any ofthe well-known and conventional mechanical attachments such as machine screws or bolts 40 to the opposite side of orifice body 34 from fiuid inlet 30. Through the apex of cover 3S extends adjustment screw 42 provided with lock nut i4 by means of which the loading spring, discussed in detail below, isadjustcd so as to vary the minimum inlet pressure P0 discussed previously. Any number of outlet openings 36 may be radially disposed around the periphery on orifice body 34 and it may have as few as two such outlets or as many as eight or ten or more depeneding upon the number of streams desired and the sizes of orifice body 34 and the fluid inlet channel.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 2, showing an elevation View in cross section of distributor device 32, the individual elements which are the same as those indicated in Figure l are herein indicated with the same numbers. Orifice body 34 and body cover 33 are shown connected together by machine screws 40. The fiuid inlet 30 shown as a conduit in'Figure l is connected into inlet channel 46 by meansof screw threads 4S at the lower part of orifice body 34. The outlet conduits 36 are connected to outlet channels 50 by means of screw threads 52. lt is noted that these outlet channels 50 open radially outward from inlet channel 46 to the periphery of orifice body 34 through a plurality of radially disposed `oriiices 54 of the short tube type. The radial arrangement of fiuid outlet channels S0, orifices Sri, and fluid inlet channel 46 is more clearly shown in Figure 3 in which the same reference numerals are used.

Reciprocably disposed in the upper portion of fluid inlet channel 46 lis valve element 56 which consists essentially of an upper cylindrical section 53 or cap of relatively large diameter and a lower cylindrical section of seme smaller diameter. The diameter of upper section is slightly larger than the inside diameter' of fiuid inlet channel 46 so that a stop is provided in the closed position for the reciprocable valve member 56. An 0 ring seal 6l. is -provided in valve element 56 as indicated in Figure 4. The length of the lower cylindrical section is such that when valve member 56 is in the closed position shown in Figure 2, the O ring is below orifices 54 and they are sealed against fluid flow at their inlets in iiuid inlet channel 46. Key S5 and key-way 57 may be provided if necessary to prevent the valve element from rotating in channel 46.

A liexible diaphragm 62 such as neoprene impregnated fabric is secured in the position shown by suitably clamping it at its periphery between orifice body 34 and body cover 38, such as by means of machine screws 40. The diaphragm is secured to the valve body member S6 by means of plate 64 and machine screws 66. Loading spring 68 is disposed in the position shown between plate 64 and upper flanged member 70 to which machine screw 42 is integrally attached and extends upwardly through cover 38 as indicated. A washer 72 and lock nut 44 are provided with machine screw 42 to maintain the adjustment of loading spring 68.

The space 74 enclosed between diaphragm 62 and cover 38 communicates through orifices 76 and '78 with the atmosphere and provides an atmospheric vent from space 74. Needle valve is provided at this vent point and serves to dampen any pulsation effects imparted to the inlet fluid by the pump employed as indicated in Figure l or by any other pulsating source.

Space 32 contained between diaphragm 62 and orifice body 34 is sealed from the atmosphere and communicates with uid inlet channel 46 through radial ports 84 in the large diameter portion of valve member 56 and longitudinal port 86 which opens directly into fluid inlet channel 46. Radial ports 81% are preferably of small diameter so as to restrict the fluid flow to the diaphragm 6Zwhich also serves to dampen any pulsation effects present in the supply fiuid. A desirable alternative to ports d6 and 84 consists in port S5 drilled through orifice body 34. An 0.040 inch diameter hole is adequate for aqua ammonia dispensing service. Port Si? may be drilledy straight through to space ft2 if threaded inlet 48 is made larger in diameter than inlet channel 46. i

With the construction shown and described briefly above the inlet uid pressure existing in fluid inlet port 46 asaaees is appliedthrough longitudinal port 86 and radial ports 84 to the underside of diaphragm 62 and the force thus acting on diaphragm 62 is resisted by the compression of loading spring 68. A predetermined minimum inlet pres-` sure P0, at which orifices 54 will begin to open due to movements of valve element 56 permitting an intersection of V-shaped opening 88 with orice 54, is determined by `the compression of loading spring 6d and this in turn is determined bythe relative adjustment of upper element '70 and machine screw 42. Opening 88 may be provided at its outer end with a quarter circular narrow milled slot 96 to give a square-shaped opening as shown in Figures 4 and 5. This minimum pressure is increased or decreased as the compression of loading spring 68 is increased or decreased respectively.

With applied inlet pressures Pi exceeding the minimum inlet pressure P0, determined by the setting of loading spring 68, valve element 56 is moved so as to expose at least part of the inlet area of orifices 5d so as to permit a fluid flow therethrough sufficient to generate a pressure differential substantially equal to the dilerence between Pi and the pressure head in the delivery or outlet conduits 36 which communicate as described with outlet ports 50.

It will now be appreciated that with orifices 54 of the same cross-sectional area and the same length and disposed lradially in the same plane around fluid inlet channel 46 as shown, equal lluid flow rates through each orifice at all times will be effected independently of the fluid inlet pressure. At higher or lower fiuid inlet pressures, greater or smaller outlet flows will result through the plurality of fluid outlet ports 50, but for any given inlet pressure these ows will be equal. Similarly, through the use of different sized oritices, it is evident that a plurality of outlet fluid flows can be provided in any predetermined proportions other than equal.

It will be noted in Figure 2, at a point immediately below orifice 54 indicated by the broken lines, that the lower surface of the reciprocable valv'e element is provided with an inverted V-shaped opening` 8h. With increases in fluid inlet pressure exceeding the minimum preset pressure P0, the apex of the V-shaped port intersects the inlet opening of orifice S4 thereby permitting a small flow of fluid therethrough. These Vashaped ports are obtained by milling diametrically across the inlet sur face of valve element 56 a plurality of V-shaped grooves equal in number to the plurality of radially disposed orices 54. In this manner movements of valve body 56 p bring into communication all of the orifices 54 with tluid inlet channel 46 through equal open areas.

Referring now particularly to Figure 4, the structure of the fluid inlet end of valve member 56 is more clearly shown. Herein elements which have been previously described in connection with Figure 2 are also indicated by the same numbers. The large diameter portion 58 and the smaller diameter portion 60 are shown, and the intercommunicating radial ports 84 and longitudinal port 36 are also indicated. The uid inlet surface 90 of valve element S6 is provided with a plurality of V-shaped channels or notches 88 disposed radially across surface 90. The outer extremities of these V-shaped channels present a V-shaped opening at the outer periphery, the apex of which provides the initial small open area when the V- shaped notch intersects the inlet opening of orifices 54 previously described. An optional milled slot 96 is shown providing a square shaped orifice opening port.

These channels cut radially in liuid inlet surface 90 of the valve body are meant to be illustrative only and channels having other than V-shapes or having channels of several different shapes or having other than equal sized shares may be employed when desirable. Several desirable cross sections of channels are indicated generally in Figure 5.

Referring now to Figure 5 a semicircular channel 92, an inverted U-shaped channel 94, a square shaped channel 96 and a tapered V-shaped channel 98 are indicated. To

one skilled in the art of fluid fiow, it will be obvious that different variations in fiow rate between zero and maximum flow depending on the longitudinal position of valve element 56 may be obtained by substituting any one or a combination of these cross sections for the inverted V-shaped channel 88 indicated in Figures 2 and 4. If desired any one or a combination of the five types of channels indicated may be used with orifices 54 of circular cross section, or orifices of other cross section may be substituted such as those having the general shapes indicated in Figure 5. Such unusual oriice cross sections may be readily obtained by splitting orifice body 34 into two sections along the plane of orifices 54, and milling an orifice of the desired shape in either one or both of the contacting surfaces along said plane. The two sections of the orifice body 34 then are clamped together by suitable flanges or machine screws with or without gasket material therebetween in well known manners.

As a typical example of the structure of the present invention, a fluid distributing device is constructed sub` stantially as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 for the dispensing of aqueous ammonia containing the equivalent of 25% nitrogen at a total rate of about 1380 gallons per hour simultaneously at equal rates in eight streams through eight fertilizer injection Shanks for subsurface application on a suitable piece of moving farm equip.- ment. The orifice body is generally cylindrical in shape having outside diameter of 5.00 inches and a length of 2.50 inches. A plurality of eight orifices 0.250 inch inside diameter and 0.750 inch in length are disposed radially around a uid inlet channel which is 1.00 inch inside diameter. Fluid outlet openings are provided with one-half inch nominal pipe size threads at the outlet end of the orifices. V-shaped ports are milled in the fluid inlet end of the valve element substantially as shown in Figure 4. `The valve element is 1.65 inches in length and machined to a close fitting tolerance. The iluid inlet is connected by means of 1% inch nominal pipe size threads opening longitudinally into the fluid inlet channel.

The device in `operation is capable `of delivering eight streams of aqueous ammonia at a total rate of up to 1380 gallons per hour and at individual rates which can be within any desired degree of equality to one another at all various inlet pressures with accurate construction.

The same device is applicable to the dispensing of gaseous fiuids just as well as in the dispensing of liquids and no material modification of the device is required.

Obviously for greater or smaller flows than those given in the example, above, any 0r all of the dimensions of the device may be made larger or -smaller as necessary and may be provided with a greater or few number ot orifices. t

A particular embodiment of the present invention has been hereinabove described in considerable detail by way of illustration. It should be understood that various other modifications and adaptations thereof may be made by those skilled in this particular art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as set forth in the appended claims.

l claim:

l. l'n a fluid dividing and fiow regulating apparatus which comprises a pressure resistant body element having a central fluid inlet channel extending therethrough and a plurality of orifices opening radially outward from said inlet channel through a plurality of fiuid outlets, a mov able valve element reciprocably disposed in said fluid inlet channel, a cover element detachably connected to said body element at the opposite end thereof from said central iiuid channel, a diaphragm retained at its edges between said body element and said cover and extending transversely through the apparatus, said valve element being connected at one end to the central portion of said diaphgram, a loading spring disposed within said cover element and biasing said valve element toward a position in said inlet channel `at which its other end coverS theI inlet openings of,sa idori ti ces wherebyr the pres- Sille. ofthe inlet fluid .tendstornove saidvalve element ink said iiuid channel against, said loadingk spring and thereby open `said'oriiices kto provide a plurality of iluid ilows bearing a predetermined volumetric relation to one another dependent upon theiiow characteristicsot' each of said orifices, the improved valve element which is provided `with,a capfof larger cross-sectional area than that or" said iiuid inlet channel, said valve element being further providedwithalongitudinal channel extending from the end thereof Within said liuid inlet channel into said cap and into communication with `at least one transverse 4channel extending'thr-ough saidcap into the open space containedy betweensaiddiaphragm and `said body element.

2. in a iiuid dividing and flow regulating apparatus which comprises a pressurereslistantbody element having a central iiuid inlet channel extending therethrough and a plurality of oriiices openingradially outwardfrom said inlet channel through a plurality ofiiuid outlets, a movable valve element `reciprocably disposed in said fluid inlet channel, a cover element detachably connected to said body element at the opposite end thereof` from said central iuid channel,l la diaphgram retained at its edges between said body element and said cover and extending transversely through the apparatus, said valve element being connected at one end to the central Vportion of said diaphragm, a loading spring disposed within said cover clement and biasing said valve element toward a position in said inlet channel at which its other end covers the inlet `openings. of said orifices whereby the pressure of the inlet fluid tends to move said valve element in said uid channel against said loading spring and thereby open said orifices to provide a plurality of fluid iiows bearing a predetermined volumetric relation toone another dependent upon the ,iiow characteristics of each of said oriiices, the improved cover element provided` with an opening therethrough in combination with a valve connected at said opening to restrict iiow ofy iiuids into and out of the otherwise closed space between said cover element and said diaphragm to dampen pulsations of the valve element induced by pulsations in the inlet fluid pressure.

3. A liuid dividing and flow regulating apparatus adapted to receive a single fluid stream and discharge a a plurality of iiuid streams at iiow rates bearing a predetermined relation to each other which comprises a generally cylindrical pressure resistant body element having a vertical fluid inlet channel extending longitudinally from a tiuid inlet at one end of said body element and opening into a cylindrical recess of somewhat larger diameter .at the other-end, said body element further having` a plurality of orifices radially disposed around said 8 inlet channel andv having thegaxis of their inlet openings in the` same horizontalplane and opening` therefrom through a plurality of fluidoutlets disposed around the periphery of said body element, a cover element detachably sealed against the end of said body element around said recess, a flexible diaphragm between said cover and said body element and sealed at its periphery therebetween, a movable valve elementvertically reciprocable at a close tolerance Within saidv fluid inlet channel and having` a cap of larger cross lsection than said inlet channel secured to said diaphragm and disposed within said recess, said movable valve element extending through said channel a suiiicient distance to cover the entrance to each oriiice, said valve element further having a longitudinal port extending verticallyfrorn the fluid inlet end thereof into said cap and a plurality of radial ports opening 4from said longitudinal port radially through said cap, a loading spring extending `at one end from said diaphragm at a point opposite said valve element toward said cover, .a threaded rod extending through said cover into engagement with the other end of said loading spring an adapted to vary the compression of said spring, and a throttling valve connected to a port extending through said cover element.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said valve element is provided with a plurality of V-shaped channels milled along radii in the surface of said valve element which is within said fluid inlet channel, said tl-shaped channels being equal in number to the number of said orifices and angularly disposed so as to coincide with said orifices.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 in combination with means for preventing said valve element from rotating about its longitudinal axis relative `to said body element.

References Cited'in the lile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 754,547 Desmond Mar. 15, 1904 807,813 Fiske ec.l 19, 1905 1,777,261 Grainger Sept. 30, 1930 1,857,363 Dencklau May 10, 1932 1,861,506 Nelson June 7, 1932 2,085,982 Johnson July 6, 1937 2,144,898 Schrode Ian. 24, 1939 2,295,871 Sloan Sept. 15, 1942 2,536,440 Greenland Jan. 2, 1951 2,664,910 Boyd Ian. 5, 1954 2,750,953 Helsey June 19, 1956 2,771,092 Schenk Nov. 20, 1956 2,782,739 Freer Feb.26, l1957 

